Arista hires Courtney as new winemaker

December 8, 2012, 5:38PM

12/08/2012

Arista Winery of Healdsburg has named Matt Courtney as winemaker, starting on Jan. 1, said the McWilliams family, owners of the winery.

Courtney most recently worked at Marcassin Wine Co., where he crafted chardonnay and pinot noir wines.

"The opportunity to work with heritage vineyards in two locations in the Russian River, a wonderful, warm and hard-working family such as the McWilliams and in the future to build a first class winery onsite, was the ideal next evolution in my career," Courtney said in a statement.

"Matt's experience and talent dovetailed perfectly as we aim to build a winery onsite as well as deepen our knowledge of the great vineyard properties we have," said Mark McWilliams, co-owner.